Order of Service for Pentecost 7 on July 27, 2025

PENTECOST 7
07-27-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +

THE OPENING RITE (based on LUKE 11:1-13):
L They saw him praying, and there must have been something very special – or maybe very simple – about the praying of
Jesus. And so his disciples asked him –
C “Lord, teach us to pray.”
L The answer Jesus gave is NOT a certain place, a set schedule, a required posture, a detailed technique, dictated rules,
or specific format – it is a humble relationship of growing intimacy with God. He taught them –
C “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
L The answer Jesus gave is NOT certain language or special holy words, candles, beads, music, incense, darkness, how
long, how loud, or how quiet – it is a humble relationship of deepening trust in God. He taught them –
C “Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
L And the answer Jesus gave did NOT guarantee that God is a Santa Claus, a fairy godmother, or a genie who will grant
us all our phenomenal wishes and give us exactly whatever we demand – but he did promise that prayer will always be
answered by a God who dearly loves us. And so, my brothers and sisters in Christ –
C We will ask and trust God’s love.
We will search and trust God’s love.
And we will knock and trust God’s love.
OPENING SONG: “LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS” Brown #220
THE APOSTOLIC GREETING by the Pastor.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together)
Almighty God, here we are, flesh and blood, spirit and life – created, redeemed, and empowered by your love.
Please teach us to pray.
Continue to grow within us the attitude of prayer, the persistence of prayer, and the power of prayer.
May we trust that God loves, that God listens, that God forgives and restores, and that God makes a way out
of no way. Amen.

+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +

FIRST READING: GENESIS 18:20-32
[If only we could pray and act like Abraham on behalf of others!]
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 2:6-19
[If only we could stay rooted in Christ and not be misled!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”

THE HOLY GOSPEL: LUKE 11:1-13
[If only we could pray + live + trust God like Jesus!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “LORD, LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN PRAYING” Brown #247
Lord, listen to your children praying. Lord, send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace. [Repeat…

AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH… We confess our FAITH in the God who has given us life, love, and new life…
I trust in God who has made me his own. I know that God loves me. To God I am as precious as his own
Son, Jesus Christ, who lived and died in obedience to his Father’s will. Jesus suffered our pain, and
through his suffering and death has brought us into fellowship with God.
I believe that God through his Spirit will give me strength when I am oppressed and weary… will give me love
when I am afraid and lonely… and will guide his Church to make people free at last.
I believe that God lives in the fellowship of those who trust him, and that God wants all people to be brought
into that fellowship.
I believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
OFFERING [God loves us, dearly, and God trusts us to forgive, serve, and love others as deeply as we have been loved.]
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and
their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a
recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the
instructions to register and record your contribution. God has blessed us to be a blessing!
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
OFFERING SONG: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG,
PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG! [sing the chorus 2 times]
We are God’s people, we are Christ’s Church, called by God’s Spirit into the world.
We have God’s power from heaven above, we’ll share God’s justice, mercy and love!”

OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant:
Lord God, thank you for making a way out of no way in my life! During this summer may I dedicate
my leisure and my work, my rest and my travel, my service and my spending, my health and my
wealth, my worship and my witness to glorify You and to extend your Kingdom to others.
Someone somewhere is in need of your Good News. Amen.
THE PREFACE… We prepare to celebrate the LORD’S SUPPER with humble joy!
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, C … and set us on fire with your love! Alleluia!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous
distribution” with wafers and the option of wine or grape juice. Praise the Lord for this meal that celebrates Christ’s
presence, peace, power, and promises in or lives and in our community of faith!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #242 Brown #240
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Mission +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… We are sent forth to be and become and BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “I’M SO GLAD, JESUS LIFTED ME” Brown #191